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1798, and the kindly feelings thus engendered have been handed down as heirlooms in their families. They are Roman Catholics, and some of my most honest tenants belong to that religion.

But the political system inseparable from the religion is disastrous and must oblige the Government to reckon with it in dealing with Ireland; of the importance of this, it is impossible to form an adequate conception from intercourse only with educated Roman Catholics in England, or other countries. I am acquainted with that religion as professed in Spain, France, and Italy, and as compared with them, its political development in Ireland, due partly to circumstances, but more to the genius of the people, is remarkable and unfortunate, and if more care be not taken, will give greater trouble yet in the Government of Ireland.

Had such a measure been adopted 10 years ago, it would have ere this drawn off the surplus population, and thereby conferred more happiness and averted more misery than has, I believe, ever come within the scope of one measure to effect in the same period.

My Lord, I stated this was not a fit object for philanthropic labours; but this is a mistake in one sense, as I submit all legislative and Government action in the right spirit and on right principles is philanthropic in the highest sense of the term,

Your Lordship will, I hope, pardon me if I make one more personal allusion. I have been instrumental in doing some good. With my friend, the late Samuel Gurney, I was the means of founding the Drinking Fountain Association of London (now doing so much in a quiet way to promote temperance). I have devoted some of the best hours of my life to other works for the good of my fellow creatures, but all I may have done, if multiplied a hundred fold, would be but a drop in the ocean compared with what I would consider myself the humble instrument of effecting, if I could induce the Govern- ment to carry out this truly great work, so much would it add to human happiness, and avert the misery of my fellow creatures.

Thousands of families now dragging out a miserable existence on mountain and bog in Ireland, with its cheerless climate, would in their happy Australian homes, under its bright sun, live and bless your Lordship, and every other member of Her Majesty's Government who had done them this great good.

In this spirit, above all others, I would respectfully press the consideration of this subject on your Lordship, believing from your public utterances, that there is no statesman in England better qualified to appreciate it.

My Lord I beg to conclude with a grave statement which I make deliberately.

It is my firm conviction that unless this great pressure of population in Ireland (which recent legislation must increase) is relieved by some merciful measure like this, the separation of Ireland from Great Britain is certain, then civil war, and then the recon. quest of Ireland will follow.

My Lord, I maintain that so long as this pressure of population retains a large section of the people steeped in poverty, verging on famine, so long will their leaders say (and they have a right to say)" See the cruel condition that an oppressive Government keeps you in!" and so long as this lasts, the people will remain seditious (and why not ?) and will never be without leaders to trade on their sedition.

It is their fixed determination never to give the Government rest, until that Minister be found who is capable of being wearied into the belief that it would be better to concede an independent Government. Outrage will be tried when the Minister is found amenable to it, and persuasion when it has more effect, but the effort, will never be relaxed until the separation be attained; or until the people are raised as the condition that makes them the victims of such agitation.

I propose from

To calculate on ultimately breaking in the people by a constant application of rigorous law. as it is proposed, is a delusion, so long as their leaders are kept in a position to address the people in language such as I have quoted.

For these and other reasons that I have omitted for the sake of brevity, I would submit this measure to your Lordship's consideration in full confidence that it is the only one capable of averting great calamities and working out the certain relief and permanent pacification of Ireland.

The Right Hon, the Earl of Derby.

I have, &c.

E. T. WAKEFIELD.

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